The city will test the efficacy and durability of an electric bike lane sweeper during a six-month pilot program.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is introducing a new all-electric device designed for sweeping bike lanes for a six-month pilot program, reports Ron Johnson in Momentum. “This endeavor represents the first time SDOT is renting and testing an electric protected bike lane (PBL) sweeper, a move intended to inform future purchasing decisions and further align with the city’s climate goals.”
As Johnson explains, the pilot program will help SDOT assess demand, maintenance needs, charging time and charge hold, and durability of the device during adverse weather conditions. “Additionally, the electric sweeper offers a quieter option for cleaning the city’s PBLs compared to traditional street sweepers.”
The program will help keep Seattle’s bike lanes clean and safe year-round. “As climate emissions from transportation remain a significant concern in Seattle, especially from short one to three-mile vehicle trips, ensuring debris-free and leaf-free PBLs plays a crucial role in reducing the city’s climate impact.”
FULL STORY: Check out Seattle’s innovative new bike lane sweeper
Seattle’s Bike Infrastructure Hamstrings Growth
Design standards that call for minimal road space allocated to bikes are limiting the growth of cycling in the city.
Why Bike Lanes Are Good: An Explainer for the US Transportation Secretary
Sean Duffy says there’s no evidence that bike lanes have benefits. Streetsblog — and federal agencies’ own data — beg to differ.
Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)